What is shoulder pain?
The shoulder joint is one of the major joints in the body. It is also one of the most movable joints in humans, thanks to a group of muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff stabilizes the shoulder joint to give the shoulder it’s wide range of motion.
Pain that is felt in the shoulder area can be a sign of trauma or inflammation in the shoulder joint itself or can come from one of the many muscles, ligaments and tendons in surrounding areas. Additionally, a number of other diseases and conditions stemming from the chest or abdomen can also cause what is called “referred pain” in the shoulders. Such illnesses include heart and lung conditions, cancer and gallbladder disease.
Pain that comes from the joint itself usually feels worse or different when you use your shoulder while playing sports or while doing everyday things like picking something up or getting dressed. Pain that is constant and can’t be changed or lessened by moving your shoulder is less likely to come from the joint.
Causes of shoulder pain
Shoulder pain is most often caused by injury to the rotator cuff. When weakened by age and wear and tear, the rotator cuff becomes more susceptible to damage and can be injured.
Beside rotator cuff tendonitis or bursitis, shoulder pain can be caused by several other injuries and conditions including:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Frozen shoulder
- Arthritis in the shoulder joint
- Bone spurs in the shoulder area
- A fractured shoulder bone
- Dislocation of the shoulder
- Shoulder separation
- Issues with nearby tendons such as overuse or injury
- Calcific tendonitis
- Spinal issues
Shoulder blade pain and pain between the shoulder blades
Shoulder blade pain can come either from trauma or inflammation to the shoulder area itself, or from so-called referred pain from other parts of the upper body such as the chest and abdomen. This also means that pain in the shoulder blades can be a sign of something quite mild such as a muscle strain, or something much more serious like a heart or lung condition or cancer. But the most common cause is muscle strain which can come from overuse (for example from playing tennis) or from simply sleeping in an awkward position.
Pain between the shoulder blades, or “interscapular pain” is common and can feel like anything from a dull ache to a shooting pain. The most common cause of pain between the shoulder blades is muscle strain from poor posture, overuse such as from excess lifting or activities like golf or tennis, or a less than supportive mattress. Another common cause of interscapular pain is trauma such as a rotator cuff tear or joint separation.
Left shoulder pain and right shoulder pain
Left shoulder pain can be due to heart or blood vessel issues such as a heart attack or pericarditis (inflammation around the heart). Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you feel pain in your left shoulder.
Right shoulder pain is usually due to muscle or tendon damage. However, although arm and shoulder pain on the left side is more often associated with heart attacks, a heart attack can also present as pain on the right side of the body, in the arm or shoulder.
Neck pain - causes and symptoms of neck pain
Neck pain is a common complaint. Symptoms of neck pain include:
- Headaches
- Muscle tightness and spasms
- Decreased range of motion
- Pain that is worsened by holding your head in one position for extended periods of time, such as when working at a computer or driving a car
Common causes of neck pain include:
- Injuries, such as whiplash
- Muscle strains, such as from overuse or awkward posture
- Compressed nerves
- Worn joints, caused by age and wear and tear
- Disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis and cancer
Back of neck pain - could I have cervicogenic headaches?
Pain in the back of the neck that is accompanied by headaches may be a sign of cervicogenic headaches. Cervicogenic headaches can result from strain to the muscles and tendons in your neck caused by poor posture, overexertion or injury. This in turn puts pressure on your spine and the nerves running through it and directly into your brain, causing the headache.
Chronic neck pain
Neck pain is typically classified as chronic when it persists or regularly recurs for at least three months. The pain itself can range from fairly mild pain to a sharp debilitating pain.
Pillows for neck pain
If you suffer from chronic neck pain, it can be hard to get a good night’s sleep. A good supportive pillow, such as a cervical pillow, can do a lot to ease chronic pain.
Concurrent neck and shoulder pain
Concurrent neck and shoulder pain is pain that you feel in your neck and shoulders at the same time. Because of the close connection between the neck and shoulders through multiple nerve pathways, it’s not always clear if the pain you feel is actually coming from your neck or from your shoulders.
Shoulder and neck pain relief - how to ease pain at home
While you should always seek professional medical attention for any pain that doesn’t go away on its own, there is a lot you can do to relieve mild neck and shoulder pain at home.
- Rest - take a break from any activities that might make your pain worse, such as some sports
- Apply cold - use an ice pad wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes, five times a day to reduce swelling
- Apply heat - use a heating pad or warm compress to alleviate pain
- Massage - gently massage your neck and shoulders
- Medical pain relief - use an OTC pain reliever or topical pain-relieving cream as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist
- Wrap it - wear a shoulder wrap to reduce swelling and relieve pain
- Stay as active as you can but move your shoulder gently - an OTC pain reliever can make gentle activity less uncomfortable
- Try shoulder exercises to relieve pain and prevent it from coming back
- Exercise your neck gently every day by slowly stretching your head from side-to-side and up-and-down
- Think about your posture - stand up straight and relax your shoulders, rolling them gently down and back, and change your position often to ease neck pain
- Use a cushion to support your lower back and rest your arm on a cushion in your lap to rest your shoulder, and use a special neck pillow for sleeping to ease neck pain
- Don’t use neck braces or collars without your doctor’s advice as they can make symptoms worse if used incorrectly
Neck pain usually disappears more quickly, but shoulder pain can take a long time to recover from, so don’t be surprised if you need to keep at it for up to two weeks before the pain starts to lessen.
In your digital pain coach app Paindrainer, you’ll get access to rehabilitation exercises designed by chronic pain management experts specifically tailored for home use, to help you manage and alleviate pain in your neck and shoulder.
When to see a doctor
Seek medical help immediately if you think you might be having a medical emergency such as a stroke or heart attack.
You should also plan to see a doctor if:
- You have shoulder pain that persists for several days
- Your pain doesn’t go away, gets worse, or comes back after initially going away
- Your range of motion feels limited
- You are in significant pain
- You think you might have a muscle or tendon tear
Managing neck and shoulder pain
If you are experiencing neck and shoulder pain, see your doctor to discuss your symptoms and make a treatment plan. New advancements in chronic pain management can also help you to optimize how you live with chronic pain while maintaining an active lifestyle.
Sources:
Shoulder pain
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/shoulder-pain/basics/definition/sym-20050696
Shoulder pain
https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/shoulder-pain
Shoulder pain and common shoulder problems
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/shoulder-pain-and-common-shoulder-problems/
Why does my shoulder hurt?
https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/shoulder-pain
Shoulder pain
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shoulder-pain/
What causes concurrent neck and shoulder pain and how do I treat it?
https://www.healthline.com/health/what-causes-concurrent-neck-and-shoulder-pain-and-how-do-i-treat-it
Is your shoulder pain actually caused by a neck problem?
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-your-shoulder-pain-actually-caused-by-a-neck-problem/
Causes of right shoulder and arm pain
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327172#heart-problems
What causes pain between the shoulder blades?
https://www.verywellhealth.com/pain-between-shoulder-blades-2248950
Neck pain: possible causes and how to treat it
https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-pain
Shoulder pain without injury
https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/HealthU/2019/07/19/shoulder-pain-without-injury-6-common-causes/
How back of neck pain is related to your headaches
https://continuumwellness.com/how-back-of-the-neck-pain-is-related-to-your-headaches/
12 Pillows for neck pain
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2021/05/26/best-pillows-for-neck-pain/?sh=4500184a39cb
